THE LOWEST TREES HAVE TOPS
The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall,
The fly her spleen, the little spark his heat;
Hairs cast their shadows, though they be but small,
And bees have stings, although they be not great.
Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs,
And love is love, in beggars and in kings.
The ermine hath the fairest skin on earth,
Yet doth she choose the weasel for her peer;
The panther hath a sweet perfumed breath,
Yet doth she suffer apes to draw her near.
No flower more fresh than is the damask rose,
Yet next her side the nettle often grows.
Where waters smooth'st run, deep'st are the fords,
The dial stirs, though none perceive it move;
The fairest faith is in the sweetest words,
The turtles sing not love, and yet they love.
True hearts have eyes and ears, no tongues to speak,
They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.
Published 1602
Who wrote this poem? No one can say with any certainty. Yet it has has somehow survived more than four hundred years. Ponder that fact now that you've read it and wonder, as I do, at the fickle nature of literary fame.
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